AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Realistic Rendering Training

[desertchameleon]

Hello,
I have been a long time AutoCAD user, but recently exposed a client to 3D and they are hooked. They are satisfied with simple renderings, but I would like to find a resource that can walk me through how to better layout the rendering environment (lighting, materials, etc) to create as close to photo realistic as possible. Something that started from scratch, teaching me how to set up the file to work better would be perfect. I just upgraded to the Revit Architecture Suite, but haven't transitioned to Revit yet (just using the ACA2010 that came with it).

Some books that appear to be good:
Autocad 2010 Tutorial: Second Level, 3d Modeling
Autocad 2010 in 2d and 3d: A Modern Perspective

Any student have suggestions on good books from classes?
Any input on the books or do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you, Mike Edited by: desertchameleon on Jul 28, 2009 9:31 PM

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike

You should sent this email to Paul Aubin, because he is writing a new book
about AutoCAD Architecture 2010:
http://paulfaubin.blogspot.com/2009/07/mastering-autocad-architecture.html

A better alternative would be to convince Odin Cary to write an eBook:
http://www.archidigm.com/

Pedro Aroso
http://ferramentasdearquitecto.blogspot.com/


"desertchameleon" escreveu na mensagem
news:6226591@discussion.autodesk.com...
> Hello,
> I have been a long time AutoCAD user, but recently exposed a client to 3D
> and they are hooked. They are satisfied with simple renderings, but I
> would like to find a resource that can walk me through how to better
> layout the rendering environment (lighting, materials, etc) to create as
> close to photo realistic as possible. Something that started from
> scratch, teaching me how to set up the file to work better would be
> perfect. I just upgraded to the Revit Architecture Suite, but haven't
> transitioned to Revit yet (just using the ACA2010 that came with it).
>
> Some books that appear to be good:
> Autocad 2010 Tutorial: Second Level, 3d Modeling
> Autocad 2010 in 2d and 3d: A Modern Perspective
>
> Any student have suggestions on good books from classes?
> Any input on the books or do you have any other suggestions?
>
> Thank you, Mike
>
> Edited by: desertchameleon on Jul 28, 2009 9:31 PM

[desertchameleon]

Paul Aubin's book doesn't appear to focus where I need it. I am using ACA2010 strictly for 3D architectural presentations. All of our construction documents are still done in LT, and that most likely won't change for many reasons that out weigh the reason why we should upgrade.

Any other suggestions? I've used 3DSMAX in the past, but wanted the user friendly architectural tools in ACA.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

If you use and have max you may find it more flexible.
ACA will build the model quicker for you though and have intelligence to the
objects.
Do a search on rendering with Mental Ray. There are some good tips.
There is also a ~15 page handout on rendering inside ACA.
cheers

wrote in message news:6226610@discussion.autodesk.com...
Paul Aubin's book doesn't appear to focus where I need it. I am using
ACA2010 strictly for 3D architectural presentations. All of our
construction documents are still done in LT, and that most likely won't
change for many reasons that out weigh the reason why we should upgrade.

Any other suggestions? I've used 3DSMAX in the past, but wanted the user
friendly architectural tools in ACA.

Thanks.

[JayMoore]

Is your work residential, commercial or light commercial in nature? Also, where are you located?

Thanks
Jay

[desertchameleon]

I'm doing commercial work. Basically store renderings to help operators better understand what their end product will be for a remodel or concept. I am located in Phoenix, AZ.

Funding is an issue, so I don't have the ability to buy 3DSMax. I used it in school, but it's hard to convince an accountant why I need another pricey program! I will read through the tips and see what I can pull from there.

[JayMoore]

We can possibly help you out. We are an Autodesk Developer, Reseller and Architectural Services and Training firm. Anyway, go to the ACA Gallery and look at some of my posts (under username: JayMoore) and let me know if that is the type of quality you are looking to achieve. If so email me at jay"at"americad.com and we'll see what we can do to help you out.

The majority of our work is residential and light commercial but the same principals apply to getting the quality regarldless of the industry.

As a sample, attached is a ladies lounge area we created for a mall type project sometime back.

Thanks
Jay

[rosskirby]

If you're looking for more "cost-effective" means of developing presentation-quality renderings for clients, you may want to look into SketchUp. As far as modeling goes, it doesn't get any easier. There are also about a half-dozen photo-realistic-quality stand-alone rendering engines that are also free (Kerkythea and Podium, just to name a couple). Plus, there are literally dozens of architecture-specific rendering tutorials on the web (try Sketchucation).

However, there is also a version of V-Ray for SketchUp, which can be fully integrated into the SketchUp program. Fortunately, although V-Ray isn't free (at $799), it's considerably less expensive than 3DS or ACA, plus the material editor is second to none. Also, there's a pro version of SketchUp (at $495). The best thing (in my opinion) about these programs, however, is that there won't be any resellers constantly hassling you about licensing fees. If you want to stick with a certain version forever, then you can. (What a novel idea, right?!)

And if you find that SketchUp doesn't fit your needs, there's always Blender, a free alternative to 3DS that's more advanced/complicated than SketchUp.

My recommendation is that you download SketchUp (the free version) and the 30-day trial of V-Ray for SketchUp and take it for a test drive.

[Anonymous]

Well ,Here is a little PDF tutorial that Adesk's James Smell did (I think a
few yrs back), anyways he had done a previous book cowritten with infamous
Paul Aubin on rendering in ADT06 using the then included visionres (max
subset). This updates to include the new Mental Ray based inclusive
rendering to ACA. Can't remember where it came from. I'm sure that James
would want people getting into using and experimenting with the built-in
rendering functions.... Learn the Mental Ray way and you'll be good.
goood luck,
Kevin

wrote in message news:6226591@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hello,
I have been a long time AutoCAD user, but recently exposed a client to 3D
and they are hooked. They are satisfied with simple renderings, but I would
like to find a resource that can walk me through how to better layout the
rendering environment (lighting, materials, etc) to create as close to photo
realistic as possible. Something that started from scratch, teaching me how
to set up the file to work better would be perfect. I just upgraded to the
Revit Architecture Suite, but haven't transitioned to Revit yet (just using
the ACA2010 that came with it).

Some books that appear to be good:
Autocad 2010 Tutorial: Second Level, 3d Modeling
Autocad 2010 in 2d and 3d: A Modern Perspective

Any student have suggestions on good books from classes?
Any input on the books or do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you, Mike

Edited by: desertchameleon on Jul 28, 2009 9:31 PM